Record-Breaking U.S. Road Travel in 2023
Driving Mileage Hits New High
Travel on U.S. roads in 2023 rose 2.1% to 3.263 trillion miles, setting a new yearly record and surpassing pre-COVID 19 levels for the first time, the Transportation Department announced on Thursday. Road travel overall increased by 67.5 billion miles, with a 2.2% rise in December, based on preliminary data. In 2019, U.S. motorists logged 3.261 trillion miles for the year. The surge in driving comes as more Americans are returning to offices for work as businesses and federal agencies encourage workers to return.
Factors Contributing to the Increase
The increase in driving can be attributed to various factors, including lower retail gasoline prices in 2023. U.S. retail gasoline prices last year averaged $0.43 per gallon less than in 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Department. The U.S. retail price for regular-grade gasoline averaged $3.52 per gallon, a result of lower prices in 2023 compared with 2022. Additionally, driving was boosted by the return of more Americans to their workplaces and a decline in remote work arrangements. These factors collectively contributed to the significant increase in road travel.
Impact of the Pandemic
For 2020, driving fell 11% to 2.9 trillion miles, the lowest yearly total since 2003. However, it then rose by 8% in 2021 to 3.14 trillion miles. U.S. road deaths rose sharply after the COVID pandemic but have started to decline, with traffic deaths falling 4.5% in the first nine months of the year to 30,435. U.S. traffic deaths jumped 10.5% in 2021 to 42,915, the highest number killed on American roads in a year since 2005. The pandemic led to less crowded roads and some motorists perceived police as less likely to issue tickets, leading to riskier behavior on the roads, as per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Looking Ahead
The surge in road travel in 2023 showcases a significant shift in travel patterns and behaviors. As the world continues to adapt to the changing landscape, it is important to monitor the impact of these shifts on various aspects of life, including transportation, safety, and environmental implications.
